Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program (TSEIP)
Overview
Resources
Legislative Ruling
How to Apply
Eligible Loan Programs
Required Eligibility Forms
TSEIP Coordinators
Overview
The Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program (TSEIP) is a legislative ruling administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. TSEIP was designed to recruit and retain mathematics and science teachers in Oklahoma. Successful candidates will be reimbursed eligible student loan expenses (a set amount, which may vary yearly) or an equivalent cash benefit. In order to qualify to receive disbursement benefits under TSEIP, the participant must:
- Complete an approved professional teacher education program from an Oklahoma-accredited teacher education unit (must include a student teaching requirement).
- Teachers with alternative or emergency certificates do not qualify for this program.
- Hold a valid certificate to teach mathematics or science at the secondary level.
- Obtain an initial teaching license and then a certificate and provide eligible, full-time teaching service under a regular teaching contract at an Oklahoma public school:
- at the secondary level
- for five (5) consecutive school years
- in the mathematics or science subject areas.
- Obtain an initial teaching license and then a certificate and provide eligible, full-time teaching service under a regular teaching contract at an Oklahoma public school:
- Complete the first full year of eligible full-time teaching service, as described above, within 25 months from the date of graduation from a four-year institution in Oklahoma.
- Complete course work and training necessary to obtain a teaching certificate, which requires a baccalaureate degree or graduate degree and completion of an approved program of professional teacher preparation. The teacher preparation program shall include a student teaching requirement and authorize service for the secondary level.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subparagraph, participants may apply to the employing school for a leave of absence when a serious illness, pregnancy or other natural cause prevents the participant from continuing the course work requirements or from providing consecutive full-time teaching service.
- Leaves of absence may not exceed more than one academic year and will not be included for the purpose of calculating the consecutive five (5) years of teaching service.
- As soon as a leave of absence is granted, participant must present official school documentation to OSRHE that meets the provisions of these rules. Also, official notification must be given within one year that the participant has resumed the teaching duties or participant may be withdrawn from the program.
A reduction in force will not eliminate a participant from fulfilling the consecutive five-year obligation if the following provisions are met:
- Participant must provide to OSRHE official documentation of the reduction in force as soon as it is enforced.
- Participant must resume teaching mathematics or science at the secondary level at an Oklahoma public school within 18 months after the reduction in force.
Resources
State and Federal Programs to Assist Education Majors
- Federal (Stafford) Loan Forgiveness for Teachers (external link)
- Future Teachers Scholarship (external link)
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness* (external link)
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program (external link)
*Under this program, borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on their eligible federal student loans after they have made 120 payments on those loans under certain repayment plans while employed full time by certain public service employers.
Legislative Ruling
To view the permanent rule regarding TSEIP (Title 610, Chapter 25, Subchapter 27), please follow the steps below:
- Visit the Oklahoma Secretary of State website (external link, opens in new window).
- Click on the Administrative Rules menu item on the navigation under the banner.
- On the menu on the left, float your cursor over the Online Code and Register menu item and select View Code.
- Scroll down and click on Title 610, State Regents for Higher Education.
- Click on Chapter 25, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- Click on Subchapter 27, Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program.
- Select the section(s) you would like to view.
How to Apply
Students must fill out the Participation Agreement Form below and submit it to their college or university TSEIP coordinator no later than the date of their graduation from a four-year college or university in Oklahoma (even if graduating in the fall). Institutions will submit qualifying applications to the State Regents within 10 days of receipt. SPECIAL NOTE: Applicants cannot be certified to teach math or science prior to signing the Participation Agreement Form.
The State Regents office will notify applicants of application receipt, educational loan obligations and any qualifying disbursement benefit opportunities through TSEIP.
For more information about the program, contact the education department at your college or university or contact the State Regents Teacher Recruitment Program, Saeed Sarani, ssarani@osrhe.edu, 405.225.9192 (Oklahoma City area) or 800.858.1840 (toll-free).
TSEIP Participation Agreement (PDF, 102k)
Eligible Loan Programs
The following student loan programs are eligible for TSEIP reimbursement:
- Stafford Student Loans/Guaranteed Student Loans
- Perkins/National Direct Student Loans
- Loans made pursuant to the federal Supplemental Loans for Students program, including CLAS
- Consolidation Loan Program loans
- Privately funded educational loans issued to students through colleges or universities
NOTE: Parent Loans for Students (PLUS) are not eligible.
Students who participate in TSEIP and meet all the eligibility requirements but do not have outstanding loan obligations will receive a cash payment after five years of teaching.
For more information about the program, contact the education department at your college or university or contact the State Regents Teacher Recruitment Program, Saeed Sarani, ssarani@osrhe.edu, 405.225.9192 (Oklahoma City area) or 800.858.1840 (toll-free).
Required Eligibility Forms
To determine eligibility, participants should submit all the required forms upon completion of the fifth consecutive year of teaching secondary mathematics or science in Oklahoma public schools. The required forms may be downloaded below.
- Official Transcripts
- Copy of State of Oklahoma Teaching Certificates
- TSEIP Employment Compliance Form (PDF, 158k)
- Affidavit of Agreement for Repayment of School Loans (PDF, 70k)
- Applicant Information Update Form (PDF, 44k)
- Vendor Registration Form (PDF, 17k)
- W9 (external link)
For more information, contact the State Regents Teacher Recruitment Program, Saeed Sarani, ssarani@osrhe.edu, 405.225.9192 (Oklahoma City area) or 800.858.1840 (toll-free).
TSEIP Coordinators
Public Colleges and Universities |
Independent Colleges and Universities |
|---|---|
Cameron University East Central University Langston University Northeastern State University Northwestern Oklahoma State Oklahoma Panhandle State Oklahoma State University Southeastern Oklahoma State University Southwestern Oklahoma State University University of Central Oklahoma University of Oklahoma University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma |
Bacone University Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma Baptist University Oklahoma Christian University Oklahoma City University Oklahoma Wesleyan University Oral Roberts University Southern Nazarene University St. Gregory’s University The University of Tulsa |
